The Division is up for grabs by the Rays. The Yankees try to fight through their struggles against the Red Sox. The Jays try to move up in the standings. Let’s see what happened over the weekend and what is to come this week in the MLB American League East.
BOSTON RED SOX
The Red Sox entered the weekend already winning game one against the Yankees. Eduardo Rodriguez only pitched one inning and left the game with migraine symptoms. He is said to be feeling better now. In the very short outing, he gave up one run. Phillips Valdez came in for three innings and put zeros up with seven strikeouts. The Yankees were kept to only two runs. Rafael Devers hit two home runs in the game. Enrique Hernandez went 2-for-4 and Jarren Duran went 2-for-3.
Nathan Eovaldi started game three for the Red Sox and gave up two runs. This was a heartbreaker for the Red Sox because Eovaldi left the mound with a lead in the 8th inning. Adam Ottavino came in to relive and didn’t help. He allowed the inherited run to score and gave up two more runs. This all happened with two outs. The offense tried to come back against Aroldis Chapman but Hernandez struck out to end the game. Kevin Plawecki went 2-for-4.
Martin Perez pitched six innings and gave up three runs. The Red Sox offense was not hitting against German until the 8th inning. Verdugo hit a double that knocked out German. Five hits and five runs. That was what was needed for the series win.
This is what a comeback looks like. pic.twitter.com/3Ic7hxnbqm — Red Sox (@RedSox) July 26, 2021
The Blue Jays come into town to face the Red Sox before the Sox head to Tampa to face the Rays. First place will be at stake.
TAMPA BAY RAYS
The Rays faced the Indians/Guardians over the weekend. Josh Fleming pitched four innings and gave up three runs. Ji-Man Choi went 3-for-5 with a home run. Nelson Cruz hit his 20th of the year and his first home run as a Ray. Wander Franco went 3-for-5 and Randy Arozarena went 2-for-5. The Rays rallied in the 9th inning to break the tie and win.
Drew Rasmussen pitched three innings and gave up one run during Saturday’s game. Choi continued his hot bat and went 4-for-5 with a home run. Austin Meadows went 2-for-5. Once the Rays had the lead, they never looked back. This win with the Red Sox loss had them tied for first place.
Ji-Man can bring the boom, too pic.twitter.com/ZC1IlKvwSk — Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) July 24, 2021
The Rays couldn’t complete the sweep and move a game behind the Red Sox with Sunday’s loss. Ryan Yarbrough went seven innings and gave up one run. Matt Wisler gave up two more runs that gave the Indians/Guardians the lead and win.
The next series for the Rays is against the Yankees. They have a chance to take first place before facing the Red Sox over the weekend.
NEW YORK YANKEES
The Yankees, at worse, had to try to split this series. They entered this series still the weaker team but still at a chance at a wild card spot. Gerrit Cole started and went 5 innings. He gave up three runs which were all the Red Sox needed to win. Nestor Cortes Jr.pitched two innings and gave up three runs as well. The Yankees only had six hits and went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
The Yankees avoided the sweep in game three with Jameson Taillon on the mound. He gave up three runs and pitched seven innings. This gave the offense time to come back from behind and win. Jonathan Loaisiga returned from the COVID IL and pitched a scoreless inning. Chapman closed the game but not before the Red Sox offense threatened.
Late life and a lead 💪 pic.twitter.com/52i3iXYE4H — New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 24, 2021
The heartbreaker was returned to the Yankees as karma as they lost the series finale. Domingo German pitched seven no-hit innings. He gave up a hit to Alex Verdugo in the 8th and then was removed. It was the right move because German hasn’t been stretched out to pitch more than 95 pitches this year. Loaisiga came in for his second appearance after COVID and gave up hit after hit. Zach Britton came in to get the outs but runs were also given up. The Red Sox scored five runs in the 8th to win the game.
WHAT’S NEXT MLB AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST
The week continues with another division series against the Rays. The Yankees can try to gain some ground on them in the 3-game series. Then they head to Miami to face the Marlins over the weekend.